Matthew 13:22 Meaning and Explanation
“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The thorny soil is the hearer in whom worldly cares and the lure of riches choke the word and leave it barren.
What Does Matthew 13:22 Mean?
Jesus names the thorns. They are the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, anxious worry and the false promises of wealth. These grow up alongside the word and slowly choke it, so the hearer becomes unfruitful.
The danger here is subtle. The word is not openly rejected; it is simply crowded out by lesser concerns allowed to flourish unchecked. Riches deceive by promising a security only God can give. The verse calls the reader to guard the heart's soil, weeding out the worries and wants that strangle faith, so that the word is given room to grow and bear its intended fruit.
Matthew 13:22 in the Original Language
apatē (ἀπάτη), 'deceitfulness' -- deception or beguiling, the way riches make false promises they cannot keep.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 13:22
What does Matthew 13:22 mean?
The thorny soil is the hearer in whom worldly cares and the lure of riches choke the word and leave it barren.